Elected Officials

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch

Sworn into office on January 7, 2003, Patrick C. Lynch, 41 became the 72nd person to hold the office of Rhode Island Attorney General since its inception in 1650. Since taking office, Attorney General Lynch has worked hard to fight crime and punish criminals. Under his stewardship, the office has also fought to protect our state and its citizens as taxpayers, as consumers, and as residents who expect and deserve safe neighborhoods, good health care, fair laws, and a clean environment.

Attorney General Lynch has had a strong voice in the shaping of legislation aimed at toughening the state's criminal justice system, advancing the rights of victims, and affording additional protections to consumers.

On February 22, 2006, after a 15-week trial and eight days of deliberations, a Providence County Superior Court jury returned a guilty verdict against three major corporations that manufactured lead paint, ordering that the companies be held accountable for the abatement of lead paint in Rhode Island homes.

Lynch has taken the lead in opposing efforts to site an LNG facility in Providence and has joined with anti-LNG forces in nearby Fall River, Massachusetts, where another facility- also requiring marine transport of LNG through Rhode Island waters and along its coastal communities-has been proposed.

Attorney General Patrick Lynch grew up in Pawtucket, the youngest of Dennis and Irene Lynch's seven children in a family that taught him the value of public service at an early age. He graduated from Brown with degrees in political science and economics, while at the same time starring on the basketball team leading the Bears to their only NCAA tournament appearance, in 1986. After starring at Brown, Lynch played professional basketball in Ireland, and played on the Irish national team in 1992-1993. He is a graduate of Suffolk University School of Law and was a clerk for Rhode Island Superior Court for Presiding Justice Joseph Rogers Jr. He has also been on the board of Advent House and Camp Street ministries.

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